Details 

Wizard of Oz 

 

Wizard of Oz

Musical Adaptation by Kevin M Reese]

Available in Musical & Non-Musical Versions

Video Promo Available Soon

Detailed Plot:
We meet Dorothy just as she arrives from her tornado ride (THE TWISTER). Soon Glinda appears and introduces her to the Munchkins in the audience (THE MUNCHKINS). When they discover that Dorothy’s house accidentally fell on the Wicked Witch of the East, Glinda explains that Dorothy must travel to the Emerald City and seek the counsel of the Wizard of Oz. She gives Dorothy the dead witch’s ruby slippers. a kiss on the cheek (for added protection), and sends her on her way via the Yellow Brick Road (YELLOW BRICK ROAD). Dorothy soon stumbles upon the silly Scarecrow who laments that he has no brains (USE IT OR LOSE IT). She convinces him to accompany her to the Wizard for perhaps he can help. They travel a little ways down the Yellow Brick Road when they come across the Tinman, all rusted tight. He explains that when he was built, the tinsmith forgot to give him a heart (TINMAN’S RAP). Dorothy and Scarecrow convince him to accompany them to Oz. They finally meet up with the cowardly Lion who wishes he was more brave (I’M A SCAREDY CAT). They convince him to join them on their journey and they head off for Oz. The Wicked Witch of the West appears. She has been following Dorothy and sends her crows, wolves and guards to kidnap her– but they all fail (I CAN’T BELIEVE MY EYE). Finally, she puts a sleep spell on the poppy field just outside the Emerald City. Dorothy and the others arrive at the field. Just as they are half-way through, Dorothy and the Lion fall asleep. Tinman and the Scarecrow frantically search for a way to wake her up. They finally have the audience blow the sleep spell away and the friends continue on to the Emerald City. Inside they are told by awesome and terrible Oz that they must bring him the witch’s broomstick before he will help them. They reluctantly agree and head for the witch’s castle (BABY STEPS). Just as they are crossing the poppy field again, the witch kidnaps Dorothy and takes her to her castle. Her friends find their way to the castle and rescue her just as she has thrown water on the witch, which makes her shrink to an inch tall. The witch runs away, never to be seen again. The friends take her broom to the Wizard and discover that he has been tricking them and that he is just a regular person. Glinda arrives and helps the Wizard keep his word to them, giving the Scarecrow a brain, Tinman a heart, and the Lion courage. Glinda explains to Dorothy that she had the power to go home whenever she wanted, all she had to do was click her heels three times. Dorothy says goodbye to her friends and the Munchkins and heads home (THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME).

Sets:
1> Munchkinland and Road to City (Corner of house addition with witch feet )
2> Wizard interior
3> Road to Witch Castle — Exterior of Oz
4> Witch castle interior Cauldron, platform to mask witch melting (trap door?)
5> Wizard interior

Costume Notes
In order to help the kids accept the difference between this adaptation and the popular MGM film, it's recommended that costumes be patterned after the original Denslow illustrations instead of the film. The major difference will be the look of the witch (her eye patch is needed for "I Can't Believe My Eye")– though you may want to keep Dorothy’s costume closer to the popular look from the film.

Audience Participation Note:
If you don’t want to have one of the kids from the audience be Oz in the end of the show, there are a few script adjustments provided in the Director’s Script for this show which will have Glinda take the lines.

Original Cast: 5:   3 Men, 2 Women played 6 characters.  2 additional characters were recorded voice-overs.
You may use more actors by NOT doubling.

Theme:
Self Confidence, Responsibility, Family.

Running Time:  55 Min.  

Target Audience: Ages 4 and up, Families.

Characters:  8
Dorothy
Glinda
Scarecrow
Tinman
Lion
Wicked Witch
Voice of Gatekeeper
Voice of Oz

MUSIC:
1: Dorothy's Song ("The Twister") - Dorothy
2: Glinda's Song ("The Munchkins") - Glinda, Dorothy
3: Yellow Brick Road - Dorothy
4: The Scarecrow's Song ("Use It Or Lose It") - Scarecrow
5: The Yellow Brick Road (Reprise #1) - Dor, Scarecrow
6: Tinman's Song ("Tinman's Rap") - Tinman
7: The Yellow Brick Road (Reprise #2) - Dor, Scarcr, Tinmn
8: The Lion's Song ("I'm a Scaredy Cat") - Lion
9: The Yellow Brick Road (Repr #3) - Dor, Scar, Tin, Lion
10: The Witch's Song ("I Can't Believe My Eye") - Witch
11: Baby Steps - Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tinman, Lion
11a: Scene Change into the Witch's Castle - Instr
11b: The Witch's Chase Music - Instr
12: Finale ("No Place Like Home") - Dor, Scar, Tin, Lion

Short Description:
Dorothy, with the help of Glinda, the Good Witch, Scarecrow, Tinman and the Lion, must defeat the Wicked Witch so that the Wizard will help her get back to Kansas. This new adaptation is based on the original novel— not the MGM film. The audience becomes the Munchkins-- and one even becomes the Great and Powerful Wizard of Oz!

Original Production
WIZARD OF OZ was first presented by the Wichita Children's Theatre Professional Touring Company during their 1995-96 touring season. It opened October 3, 1995, and played 103 performances. It was directed by John (JB) Boldenow, choreographed by Barb Schoenhofer, and costumed by Audra Wiese. Kevin Reese was the Music Director. The cast was:

Dorothy . . . . . . . . Amy Willard
Glinda . . . . . . . . . Cara Statham
Scarecrow . . . . . . . Shane Mitchell
Tinman. . . . . . . . . Kit Davlin
Lion . . . . . . . . . . Wayne Mitchell
Wicked Witch . . . . . . Cara Statham
Voices of Gatekeeper/Oz . . Kevin Reese